Super Bowl 56 Thoughts

I wanted to have a clear thought 48 hours later and put out what I think about Super Bowl 56. Compared to the last few years, it was one of the better Super Bowls. Not great, but it wasn't bad either. The Los Angeles Rams get their second title, which was their first since 1999. With their loss, the Cincinnati Bengals have been to three and lost all of them.

The Rams made the plays that mattered down the stretch. Who else but Cooper Kupp to get the game winner. He also was the MVP for his eight catch, 92 yard and two touchdown performance. Matthew Stafford was a little shaky, though he came up at a clutch moment to connect with his receiver. Their only big problem on offense was the abysmal run game along with Stafford's two interceptions. The defense struggled early, but got going in the second half, overwhelming Cincy's Joe Burrow. A little change in game plan goes a long way.

As for Cincinnati, they hung in there. A lot will question the penalties on that final defensive drive. You can't hold. Simple as that. In the end, they couldn't stop anything in regards to the passing game. Offensively, they ran it better and Joe Burrow was clean for the most part. That final offensive drive, I question why they didn't give the ball to Joe Mixon on third and 1. Burrow's offensive line struggled late in the game, which ultimately decided it. Give credit as I said for hanging in there.

The Bengals will be relevant throughout the decade, as will the Rams. I have a feeling they'll see another Super Bowl soon, though not against each other. One or two small improvements and Cincy could bring a title to Ohio. Health and who leaves and retires will determine how Los Angeles fares if they can't defend their title. Until then, let's keep eye on who makes the big moves during the offseason.

Super Bowl 56 Prep Thoughts

On paper, this should be a good matchup. Super Bowl 56 should be able to have a close matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. Cincy hasn't been to a Super Bowl since 1988 and never won it in their only two appearances prior to this year. Los Angeles was in it last in 2018 and have only won it once in 1999 out of a total of four appearances.

Cincinnati needs to get the ground game going. Joe Mixon needs to play lights out phenomenal football.  The Ram defense will have a field day going after Joe Burrow. They have plenty of choices to throw to. JaMarr Chase will have to make good use of his opportunities. LA's secondary will also have to keep eye on the tight ends and if Mixon busts for a big one. Defensively, it's about stopping Matthew Stafford. Creating enough pressure to make him the Stafford of old and watching who is a potential receiver. 

Which brings me to the LA side on offense. Cam Akers and Sony Michel need to step it up. I believe Cooper Kupp will have a huge game as will Odell Beckham. Stafford has to get comfortable. Expect big plays also from the tight end and receiver Van Jefferson. While I would say the defense should keep close on what Mixon does, the goal should be to rattle Burrow. I'd also would try rattle the rookie kicker Evan McPherson. I got a feeling with how the playoffs have been all month, a kick is going to determine the outcome in a huge way. 

My prediction is 32 to 27 Los Angeles. This could go either way though. Cincinnati has been playing the underdog role greatly. It should be a more exciting matchup compared to the last three Super Bowls.

Trades of the NFL Pre Draft

The last 72 hours have been an interesting one for the NFL regarding players getting traded to other teams. Yesterday was a crazy one. Some non ones include the Seattle Seahawks releasing a few of their secondary, making it seem like the Legion of Boom era is over. Let's get on to what happened.

Speaking of the Seahawks, they traded defensive lineman Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles and a draft pick for a backup receiver and a draft pick. It would be interesting to see how he fares in his tenth year in a different division. Philly sent receiver Torrey Smith down to Carolina in exchange for Panthers corner Daryl Worley. Unless someone on their secondary is a weak link, I don't know. The city of brotherly love seems to want to avoid the Super Bowl hangover most get after winning one. For Smith, he could still be a home run receiver, but how many more chances will he get?

Alec Ogletree seems like he will fit in with Big Blue. The LA Ram linebacker was sent along with a draft pick to the New York Giants in exchange for two draft picks. He can get tackles and that is something the dreadful defense needs. Outside of 2015, he has been a lights out player despite no Pro Bowls. Last month, The Rams have also gotten corners with Kansas City's Marcus Peters and just recently, Denver's Aqib Talib. If anything, this team is getting serious about making that big push to the Super Bowl next year. How they handle Talib is a different story.

With how infamously bad the Cleveland Browns have been the last two years, they are making waves with their trades. DeShone Kizer, who had a pretty bad rookie year, was sent to Green Bay in exchange for corner Damarious Randall and both teams swapping picks in the middle rounds. They also got Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor for a draft pick. Last was getting Miami's Jarvis Landry in exchange for a couple draft picks. It seems like desperation to cobble up something for this year. That being said, it could be a decent offense, but that's wishful thinking. Adding Randall could help their abysmal defense. It's a wait and see situation and who they get in the draft.

I got a feeling we're not finished with seeing trades yet.